1.9 and heale our natures when we haue done our part he should forfeite his truth and his iustice and so he should be a greater looser then wee And forsaketh them This must and will follow vpon the former and this offereth vnto vs another point of doctrine namely that It is not sufficient to confesse sinne Doct. 3 but wee must also leaue and forsake it Wee must renounce and abandon the allowance of euery infirmitie Sinne must bee renounced as well as confessed Isa 55.7 and the practise of euery grosse sinne This as it is commanded by the Prophet Isaiah who saith Let the wicked forsake his waies and the vngodly his owne imaginations c. So was it practised by those worthy and excellent conuertes Acts 19. mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles who did not onely acknowledge their vile and naughtie practises but to shew their thorow detestation of them and their resolution to forsake them brought their curious bookes and burnt them openly Note though the price of them amounted to a great value that so those that had beene witnesses of their sinne might also be witnesses of their repentance and that neither themselues nor others might be infected by them afterwards and that those whose harts were not yet touched with remorse for that sinne might by their example bee drawne to a dislike of it and to hartie sorrow and repentance for it And that a sound confession and a holy reformation goe together might bee further prooued by the examples of Dauid of Peter and of Paul which were formerly alleged who hauing once made acknowledgement of their sinnes neuer fell to the committing of them any more And reason will shew the same more fully and clearely for 1 First Reasons if there be not a leauing of sinne sure it is there is no sound repentance Without reformation there is no sound repentance for if there were the thorow hatred and vnfained sorrow for sinne before mentioned would kill the same at the very roote and then it would die also in the branches 2 This redressing of a mans waies as well as confessing of his faults No saith is very needfull because otherwise one can haue no assurance that hee hath faith for that purifies the heart and if the heart be cleane Acts. 15. all that proceedes from it will bee answerable thereunto A pure fountaine cannot send foorth impure streames 3 Further hee may bee certaine that the spirit of Christ dwels not in his heart for wheresoeuer that takes possession There is not the spirit it expels sinne and will not suffer such filthy ware to rest in that roome where it doth remaine and if it bee not in the warehouse it cannot be brought forth into the shop This serues for the reproofe of those Vse 1 that say and will stand to it that they haue repented and doe repent daiely and why they confesse their sinnes euery daie But haue they mended their faults that they haue so often confessed nay they cannot say so though they repent euery day Note they mend no daie then let them looke for no mercy But to come more neerely to such kind of men they affirme they haue acknowledged their swearing and blaspheming their drunkennes and swilling their brawling contending their rayling reuiling of such as are better then thēselues they haue confessed these the like to be great faults and haue been sorrowfull in their hearts for them but haue they left these foule sins Oh no flesh blood is weake and all haue their infirmities so haue they infirmities Nay these are grosse presumptuous euils and such as howsoeuer being weighed in the ballance of the flesh they seeme light yet being weighed in the ballance of the Sanctuarie they will be found sufficient to presse them downe vnto the pit of hell if they cease not from the practise of them And as for flesh and blood which they say is weake What should Christians talke of that in the sense that they doe if they be but flesh and blood they can neuer enter into the kindome of heauen They that are Christs Iohn 3.3 haue crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections thereof neither are wee any longer debiters to the flesh to liue according thereunto Rom. 8. but me must mortifie the deedes of the flesh by the spirit that howsoeuer sinne will still remaine in vs yet it may not raigne in our mortall bodies that we should obey it in the lusts thereof or that our members should be weapons of vnrighteousnesse for the execution of euill any more And this wee may boldly say Rom. 6. that whosoeuer liueth in those forenamed sinnes neuer yet knew what repentance for sinne and sound confession of sinne meanes And therefore what good conceite soeuer such haue of themselues they doe but flatter and dissemble with a double heart If they haue had some gripings for their scandalous and sinnefull manner of liuing and thereupon haue cast forth some peece of a confession the best that they can make of it is but this Dogsicke that they haue been dogge-sicke as was shewed before and so disgorged their stomackes of that that pained them not in any hatred of the things for they returne to their vomite againe but in desire to be exempted and freed from those bitter pangs and hellish tortures which they finde in their soules At most they are but as the sow that hath been washed seeing that they returne to their old filthines There hath beene onely a change of the outside none at all of the inside for if their nature had beene altered and renewed their words and workes would haue beene reformed and that not for a fit but for euer in the whole course of their cariage afterwards They might indeed now and then meete with a rubbe and stumble sometimes but their walke for the most parte should be in the waies of godlinesse and though they did fall they should rise againe Psal 37. because the Lord would put vnder his hand Therefore let all men carefully looke vnto themselues if they were swearers before the Sacrament Note and be swearers still if idle persons vnthrifts scoffers c. before they come to the word and continue to be such still their case is fearefull Let them be afraid how they stand in the courts of Gods house to heare and how they draw neere to the Lords table to receiue the holy things of God For if they come not to be helped against those grieuous sinnes which heretofore they haue liued in let them know they shall find no mercy and if they finde not mercy Note they shall be sure to meete with iudgement they shall not misse of one And howsoeuer they may bragge that they trust to be saued as well as the best when their liues are as bad as the worst yet they shall finde at the time of death and when the horrible terrors of their guiltie consciences shall
neither Gods iustice is vnsatisfied nor any sinne vnrepented in those that labour to wash their soules by true and godly sorrow it is apparant that there is no transgression no not the most hamous that shall stand in record against them but all shall be remitted and couered from Gods sight that hee shall neuer looke vpon them in anger and indignation for the same Indeed those that haue fallen in to more notorious and grieuous crimes Why the pardon of great sinnes is not so soone apprehended cannot ordinarily get the assurance of their reconciliation vnto the Lord so soone as others that haue not beene so great offenders but the cause hereof is in themselues in that such open and scandalous offences doe make an exceeding great breach into their faith and bring maruellous great hardnesse vpon their hearts and they are very vnwilling to set their consciences vpon the rack to sift and examine their owne soules to the intent their hearts may bee pierced and wounded for their sinnes but they will rather shift and scamble and put off their humiliation as long as may bee as Dauid did Psalme 32. so that it 's a wonder they euer get out of the snares of the diuell till God either by some sharpe rebuke or by some fore affliction doe rouse them and as it were by violent hand pull them out thence But if once they come to great sorrow for their sinnes and in humblenesse of heart and assurance of faith can make claime to the blood of Christ they shall be discharged freed from all their transgressions and bee brought to that puritie and whitenesse which they neuer dreamed such miserable ereatures as themselues could haue attained vnto For confutation of that wretched errour of the Papists Vse 1 that would beare men in hand Against Purgatorie that there is a Purgatory where some men after this life must haue a further purging and scouring then heere they haue attained vnto but see heere what the Lord saith Though men haue broken foorth into neuer so many abominations though their sinnes were as crimson and as scarlet yet if they would seeke to wash cleanse themselues by the meanes that God hath appointed hee giueth them his faithfull promise that they shall be made white as wooll yea white as snow as if they had neuer offended at all To what end then should men appoint a second washing when God himselfe hath vndertaken to wash vs from all our filthinesse and from our greatest corruptions as hath beene more largelie declared before What an absurd thing is it to imagine that we must goe thorow a strange inuented fire which may more thorowly purge away the drosse of our corruptions as if Christ his blood were not sufficient to make vs white as snow This is but a carnall conceit of mans foolish braine for if fire and enduring of paines and torments could haue scoured off sinne the reprobates in hell should haue beene purged therefrom long agoe But God alone hath cleane and precious water and a skilfull and powerfull hand to effect that worke and in the Reuelation Christ Iesus the true and faithfull Witnesse telleth vs how all our vncleannes may be couered from Gods eies Reu. 3.18 I counsell thee saith he to the Church of Laodicea to buy of me white raiment that thou maist be clothed and that thy filthy nakednesse may not appeare Nakednesse there is in the best but Christ his righteousnesse is that garment which must couer it and then God will neuer in anger and displeasure looke vpon it but in mercie and goodnesse looke vpon the holinesse of his sonne wherewith our soules are inuested and all our iniquities hidden and couered Secondly Vse 2 heere is matter of great comfort vnto those that that doe in good earnest set vpon this worke of cleansing and purging themselues they shall not be destitute of companie to ioine with them for God himselfe will assist them and inable thē to go thorow with that worke and therfore this should incourage vs vnto the exercises of humiliation and of examination and iudging of our selues for are not a few teares well bestowed vpon God when he will thereupon bestow on vs the blood of his sonne Many are afraid to aduenture vpon the worke of repentance lest they should bee driuen thereby to desperation but let vs neuer feare that though our vncleannesse be neuer so great though wee bee stained and died from top to toe within and without in euery part and power of soule and body by reason of our originall corruption and actuall transgressions so that all the men in the world cannot take away the foule spots and horrible staines of sinne that cleaue vnto vs and are settled in vs yet the Lord of heauen who hath all sufficiencie of power in his hand can and will without any difficultie purge vs from euery one of our iniquities by sprinkling on our hearts the precious blood of his owne sonne which is as it were a souereigne Bath ordained for the cleansing of the soules of his elect from that contagious leprosie of sinne wherewith they are wholly ouer-spread And therefore let none bee discomforted in regard of his many and greeuous offenses seeing that the Lord hath entred into a sure couenant with vs for the pardoning and healing of them all who can as easily cure the most deadly wound as the smallest scarre and the harder the cure is the more hee shall bee glorified in shewing foorth the riches of his mercie towards poore sinners that stand in need thereof Our greatest extremitie is Gods fittest oportunity Now the chiefe meanes that he vseth for our cleansing and sanctifying Meanes of cleansing are two One is the word which being receiued into the heart by faith doth purifie the same The word according to that of our Sauiour to his Disciples Iohn 15.3 Now are ye cleane through the word that I haue spoken vnto you Another meanes is the Sacrament whereby God is ready to conuey vnto vs the merit and vertue of his sonnes death The Sacrament by the effectuall operation of his spirit that Christ may be vnto vs holinesse for our sanctification 1. Cor. 1.30 as well as righteousnesse for our iustification God doth not offer vnto vs onely the outward elements but hee is more willing to giue vnto vs the things signified thereby then any earthly father can bee to giue foode vnto his hungrie child that crieth for some reliefe at his hands when he hath all plentie and abundance whereby to supply his need I say hee is so much more willing then any earthly father as God is kinder then man and his store more plentifull then mans and it 's lesse cost and lesse paines vnto him and yet more for his praise to refresh the thirstie soules of his poore seruants then for a mortall man to satisfie the appetite of his hungry child For as the Prophet speaketh Mercy pleaseth him
feelingly to poure out his heart before the Lord in praier and in thankesgiuing for when the Princes and the people had offered very largely and very willingly Dauid reioyced with great ioy and blessed 1. Chron. 29.9.10.14.18 and praised the Lord before all the congregation saying Blessed bee thou O Lord God of Israel our father for euer and euer c. Who am I and who are my people that wee should offer willingly c. O Lord God keepe this for euer in the purposes and thoughts of the heart of thy people and prepare their hearts vnto thee Thus may wee obserue now the good affections and desires of the people doe stire vp and strengthen the hearts of their Rulers to pray for them whereas on the contrarie nothing doth so kill the hearts and discourage the spirits of Gods seruants from praier as when they see those that are vnder them to bee wilfull and heady froward and rebellious and vtterly voide of any good disposition vnto pietie and religious exercises They scarse dare speake a good word for them vnlesse it bee that God would humble them and conuert them they cannot pray as Hezekiah here doth The good Lord bee mercifull vnto him that prepareth his whole heart to seeke the Lord c. but the good Lord giue them hearts to prepare themselues and take away the stony and vnbeleeuing and carnall hearts out of their bodies Note And indeed many times it is a iust iugement of God vpon such wretched persons that his children should haue no heart to pray for them because as it is said of Elies sonnes God hath a purpose to destroy them or at least grieuously to afflict them And therfore little doe these stubborne and obstinate children and seruants know what iniurie they doe vnto themselues by entering into and continuing in their sinfull courses for they thereby not onely prouoke Gods heauie displeasure against them which is a burden importable but also hinder and it may bee vtterly cut off the praiers of those that would otherwise crie vnto God night and day for the obtaining of his fauour and the procuring of the light of his countenance to shine vpon them Thus much for the first point Now further marke who they bee that hee praieth for not prophane or carelesse persons but for those that prepared their whole heart to seek the Lord c. that is which laboured with a true sincere heart to be partakers of the mercie and goodnes of God which he made offer of in his holie ordinances In that Hezekiah neither doth nor dares pray for a blessing vpon any but vpon such as were true-hearted The Doctrine is that Whosoeuer would haue any mercie from God in the Sacrament Doctr. 2 Sincerity requisite in all communicants must come with a sincere and vpright heart thereunto That howsoeuer hee cannot put away all sinne for who can say his heart is cleane yet hee may and must put away the liking of all sinne and the purpose of sinning So far as any man hath a loue vnto iniquity and an intent of committing iniquitie he is tainted with hypocrisie and doth pollute and defile euery good thing that he medleth withall and so can haue no benefit but much hurt therefrom If then wee would haue God to meete vs in mercy we must meete him in sincerity and if wee would haue him to come vnto vs in goodnesse wee must draw neere vnto him in vprightnesse Agreeable to this point is that exhortation to the Hebrewes Let vs draw neere with a true heart in assurance of faith Heb. 10.22 sprinkled in our hearts from an euill conscience and washed in our bodies with pure water As if hee should haue said except you come fitted and prepared with a heart voide of guile and deceit as good not come at all For God will bee so far from giuing countenance or comfort vnto such that hee will assuredly plague them for their fraud and falshood that they haue vsed with him This wee may plainely see in that which befel the ill grounds there are three sorts of them mentioned all professors that came to the word of life and yet had no benefit by it and therefore by a necessarie consequent Note they could reape as little fruit by the Sacrament For the word must giue life and strength before the Sacrament can nourish and increase the same What was the reason why they profited not because they came not with a good and honest heart Luke 8.15 as the fourth sort of hearers did who receiued instruction and comfort and the power of godlinesse by the conscionable hearing of the word But what is that good and honest heart which they are commended for it is a heart that doth fullie purpose to doe well though it faile much in that which it performeth that resolueth before hand to auoide the euill that shall bee reproued and to doe the good duties that shall bee commanded and to beleeue and rest vpon the promises that shall be pronounced as farre as God shall giue abilitie c. Now wheresoeuer there is such a ready inclination vnto goodnesse there will be a bringing foorth of fruit though not in all alike yet euery one will doe somewhat and God will acknowledge them for good ground and honest-hearted Christians that yeeld him but thirtie fold as well as those that yeeld him sixtie fold or an hundred fold for a lesse measure of fruitfulnes is an argument of truth as well as a greater measure and therefore shall bee respected and rewarded but as for those that haue naughtie and deceitfull hearts they shall goe away as bad or worse then they came and whatsoeuer faire colours they set vpon their profession for a time yet sooner or latter their hollownesse shall appeare to their shame and punishment Now the reasons that make for the confirmation of this doctrine That if we would finde acceptance with God we must bring sinceritie with vs are these First without this wee can haue neither remission Reasons 1 nor sanctification and therefore are so farre from hauing interest in Gods mercies through Christ his merits Without vprightnesse there is no remouall of sin Psal 32.1.2.3 that wee are liable to his wrath and lie open to the stroks of his reuenging hand None are pardoned and blessed but those in whose spirit there is no guile Secondly except there bee vprightnesse wee can haue no hope of good successe in any seruice of God that wee take in hand Iohn 9 31. Psalm 66.18 there being no promise made vnto vs for as God heareth not sinners in praier so he doth not helpe sinners by the word or Sacrament This is for the terror of those Vse 1 that when they come to the Lords Table Against vnprepared receiuers neuer examine themselues nor looke into the state of their soules at most they come but with a Pharisaicall washing of the outside of the cup and of the platter As if
made vnto him The Doctrines of the fifth Sermon on ISA. 55.1 1 The thirstie soule alone hath interest in the graces of God and shall reape benefit by the meanes of grace 2 Whosoeuer commeth to Christ Iesus in the religious vse of his ordinances shall haue all his wants supplied 3 The best things are best cheepe 4 Nothing can satisfie and content the minde but grace The Doctrines of the sixt Sermon on MATH 22.11 1 God is the onely absolute king ouer all the whole world 2 The Lord taketh notice of euery guest that sitteth at his table 3 It is not sufficient to come to Gods wedding seast but wee must come as fit guests for so great a banquet and so glorious a presence 4 When God hath to deale euen against sinners yet hee dealeth in good and peaceable tearmes 5 Sinners shall haue nothing to say for themselues when God en tereth into iudgement with them 6 The speciall time and place of the punnishment of wicked men is after this life in hell fire The Doctrines of the seauenth Sermon on PSAL. 119.1 1 Religion is the way to happinesse 2 So much sinceritie as any one hath so much happinesse shalt hee haue 3 It is a marueilous great prerogatiué to bee freed from the bondage of sinne 4 Nothing is superfluous that is done in obedience to Gods holy will The Doctrines of the eight Sermon on IOHN 6. 1 By faire speeches to vs or courteous vsage of vs wee ought not to bee staied from telling men their faults when by our calling wee are required to admonish them 2 Christ Iesus is acquainted with the purposes of such as come to his seruices 3 A man cannot bee both a worlding and a Christian 4 They are most prouident for themselues whose greatest labour is for grace 5 The efficacie of the word and Sacrament is from Christ his owne hand The Doctrines of the ninth and tenth Sermons on MARK 14.18 1 Iesus Christ knew before what sufferings hee was to vndergoe 2 They are likely to stand best who are most fearefull of falling 3 No bands of kindnesse can make wicked men faithfull vnto godly men 4 Wicked men fulfill the will of God to their owne condemnation 5 All the delights and contentmenes of wicked men in this world cannot counteruaile their miseries in the world to come 6 The efficacy of the Sacrament is from Gods owne hand 7 Christ Iesus in the Sacrament by Corporall foode giueth a most sure possession of himselfe and vnion with himselfe 8 Christ in the Sacarment doth make vs a full meale 9 Faithfull communicants at the Lords table come to bee enriched by Christ his legacie Errata Page 5. Line 18. Read drowsinesse Page 18. l. 38. r. full sore Page 23. l. 6. r. thus Page 35. l. 4. r. maine Page 39. l. 27. leaue out id est Page 69. l. 2. r. other Page 75. l. 6. r. souud Page 85. l. 18. r. must not Page 101. l. 5. r. posterity Page 107 l. 12. r. impenitent Page 143. l. 9. r. grosse Page 144. l. 3. r. all Page 132. l. 3. r. releeued Page 147. l. 3. r. beloued Page 149. l. 16. r. pay Page 150. l. 27. r. it Page 157. l. 2. r. condemned Page 163. l. 18. r. end l. 29. r. should Page 167. l. 6. r. distastefull Page 1 12. l. 9. r. him Page 117. l. 24. r. grace Page 126. margent r. Iosua P. 1. l. 11. r. blessed man where are declared p. 12. l. 10. r. make account p. 13. l. 3. r. tribulations p. 15. l. 15. r. destroy p. 22. l. 22. r. as finde p. 24. l. 35. r. knife p. 33. l. 37. r. make good p. 35. l. 2. r. tongues l. 4. r. against all c. p. 4. l. 36. r. and such like sensuality P. 41. l. 1. r. ambitious desire of aduancement or to become great men P. 47. l. 8. r. labour p. 55. l. 26. r. so in this will p. 59. l. 31. r. poyson A BRIEFE DIALOGVE CONCERNING PREPARATION FOR THE WORTHIE RECEIVING of the Lords Supper taken for the most part out of the Sermons following WHat is the Lords Supper It is a Sacrament of the eternall couenant Math. 26.28 whereby through the vse of bread and wine rightly administred and faithfully receiued Ioh. 6.27.54 c. the soules of them that are ingrafted into Christ are spiritually nourished vnto eternall life What then is required of those that will be partakers of this heauenly food at the Lords table They must be prepared as meete guestes for such a banquet Math. 22.12 1. Cor. 11.28 For the better attaining to this preparation how many things are there to be considered Three first what is to be done before the partaking of it Secondly what at it Thirdly what after it What is that which must be done before There must be 1. an examination how fit wee are to receiue 2. A premeditation of the benefits that wee are to receiue And 3. faithfull and feruent praier for Gods blessing vpon our examination premeditation and receiuing Of what points are we to examine our selues First Examination 1 in generall whether wee bee of the number of the faithfull and haue in vs the life of grace for otherwise wee are vtterly vnfit to be partakers of the Lords Supper which is appointed for food to continue spirituall life where it is and not to worke it where it is not to bee for nourishment vnto Gods children but for the bane and destruction of dogs and swine that dare presume to meddle with the same Secondly wee must examine our selues more particularlie Concerning what matters Whether wee haue attained vnto a competent measure of repentance knowledge faith and loue which if we can finde in our selues we may resolue our hearts in that point of general examination and conclude that we are within the couenant of grace and haue communion with Christ Iesus and therefore are in state to be communicants at his table How should we trie our selues in the matter of repentance Wee must examine Repentance 1 1. whether wee haue at any time carefully sifted our hearts and behauiour to finde out as many of our corruptions as possibly we could 2. Whether we haue beene and are hartily sorrowfull for the same 3. Whether wee haue rightly confessed them before the Lord with an earnest desire of the pardon thereof And 4. whether wee purpose and resolue for euer hereafter through Gods gratious assistance to reforme both our hearts and waies Is there any necessitie of that searching of our selues Yes verily Searching 1 for otherwise wee shall bee found hiders of sinne See the Sermon on Prou. 28.13 Doct. 1. Iob. 20.12 which hindreth all true prosperitie and argueth plainlie that there is in vs a loue of iniquitie and abundance of hypocrisie which will keepe vs from reaping benefit by the word or Sacrament Whereby should we trie our selues to the intent we may come to a more full and particular sight of
fathers wrath and with Satan death and hell and for our sakes in particular sustained such wofull terrors in his soule and torments in his body that he cried out in the bitternesse of his heart my God my God why hast thou forsaken me and at length shed foorth his most precious blood for the pacifying of his fathers displeasure and the satisfying of his infinite iustice And withall wee should seriously ponder vpon the inconceiuable loue of God the father in giuing his onely and welbeloued sonne to suffer such vnspeakeable tortures for vs who were cursed rebels against him and thence bee drawen to thinke on the hainousnesse and odiousnesse of our sinnes which so farre incensed the Lords wrath and indignation that nothing could quench the flame thereof but onely the precious blood of his deere sonne Secondly when we see the minister distributing the bread and wine we are to consider that as those outward elements are offered vnto vs by man so Christ Iesus with all his benefits is offered vnto vs by the blessed Trinitie Thirdly when we reach foorth our naturall hand to receiue the bread and wine we must withall reach foorth the hand of faith to apprehend and lay hold of Christ Fourthly in eating the bread and drinking the wine we must apply Christ with all his merits particularly vnto our selues and be assured that as that bread and wine are made the nourishment of our bodies so Christ his body and blood are made the nourishment of our soules and as certainly as the bread and wine are made one substance with vs to strengthen our bodies and to refresh our hearts so surely Christ is made one with vs and we with him and than our soules shall bee strengthned and our hearts spiritually reuiued either presently in the very act of receiuing or afterwards in due time when wee shall stand in most neede of comfort And therefore in assurance of faith wee should stirre vp our hearts to expect all the forenamed benefits of remission of sinnes and sanctification of our natures together with the fruition of all necessarie outward blessings and the remoouall of all hurtfull crosses Well were it for vs indeed if wee could looke for these things to be bestowed vpon vs but the greatnes and multitude of our sinnes is such that we iustly feare they will keepe good things from vs. This doubt should not perplexe nor trouble vs See the Sermon on Isa 1. if wee bee truely penitent for all our transgressions for Christ hath paid for many and great sinnes as well as for fewer and lesser Doct. 7 1. Iohn 1.9 Ezek. 36.25 and through him the Lord is ready to pardon all and all manner of iniquities as well the greatest of them as the smallest and if once our sinnes bee done away all the fore named benefites doe of right belong vnto vs. Thus much concerning the meditations that are needefull in the very act of receiuing What is to be done after our receiuing 1 First wee must giue hartie thankes vnto the Lord for this inestimable benefit which we haue receiued in being partakers of the Lords supper What to bee done after our receiuing Secondly wee must carefully marke how wee speed and what successe we finde and if the Lord afford vs present comfort wee must bee much more thankefull and endeauour by all good meanes to nourish and cherish the same and if wee misse of it for that time wee must notwithstanding giue God the glorie of his truth in making good his couenant and euerie part thereof and therefore with confidence and constancie waite and pray for the blessing resoluing with our selues euery one in his owne soule that as sure as God is true and faithfull in his promises wee shall in the fittest season reape fruite and profit by his ordinance which in conscience and obedience vnto him we haue been partakers of In which regard euery particular beleeuer may boldly speake in this or the like manner vnto his owne soule I haue with as great vprightnesse as I could communicated at the Lords table and there receiued the seale of the euerlasting couenant of grace and therefore shall it assuredly bee performed vnto mee and albeit my faith and assurance of Gods fauour bee but weake it shall be strengthned and whatsoeuer Satan or mine owne deluded conscience tell me all mine iniquities are pardoned and couered and I am at this very instant as free from sinne in Gods account Psal 32. as Adam was before his fall and as the Saints and Angels are now in heauen yea as Christ Iesus himselfe is I being a member of his mysticall bodie And so for Sanctification though I be tainted with much ignorance with many errors with bad affections and euill actions yet the Lord according to his couenant will reforme all and giue me a minde to know him and his will and a memory to hold fast what I know hee will giue me a heart to loue him to feare him and to obey his commandements I shall haue Christ his power to strengthen and vphold me his wisdome to instruct and direct me his spirit to work al needful graces in me so that all the powers of hel shal neuer be able to preuaile against mee much lesse shall the affictions of this world be able to separate me frō Christ Iesus I need not feare any euill For all shall worke together for the best vnto mee Rom. 8. neither can I want any thing that is good for God hauing giuen vs his sonne how shall hee not with him giue vs all things Thirdly wee must determine and endeuour to lead a new life bringing foorth the fruits of repentance faith and loue more abundantly then in former times as hauing renewed our couenant with the Lord for that purpose and therefore when wee finde any sinnefull motions stirring within vs wee should reason thus did I not at the Sacrament vowe and couenant with God to striue against all manner of corruptions and did I not receiue the seale of the couenant in assurance that I should haue power and strength against them why then should I yeelde vnto them why should I bee any longer in bondage vnto them nay I will not serue sinne in the lusts thereof but will resist it and by the power of Christ I shall get victorie ouer it Rom. 6.14 for the Lord hath said that sinne shall not haue dominion ouer vs. So also when we finde wants and imperfections in our best seruices as coldnesse in praier distractions in meditating vnfruitfulnesse in hearing deadnesse in singing of Psalmes c. As also impatiencie or fainte-heartednes vnder crosses disgraces persecutions c. Let vs then relieue our selues with these or the like meditations was I not lately at the Lord table where I receiued a pledge of my ingrafting into Christ who is the true vine and is there not in him sufficient Iuice of all good graces to bee deriued to euery branch that is
walke on your beds as you sleepe or wake c. Consider how many vaine and idle thoughts how many worldlie and couetous desires how many lustfull and carnall yea wicked and impious imaginations you haue swarming and as it were mustering together by whole troopes and armies within your minds and within your hearts euery one of which is a sufficient summons to put you in minde to cleanse your soules for if they were pure and vndefiled such cogitations and affections woul dnot bee stirring there neither so often nor so much as now they are Ioel 2.13 The Prophet Ioel in like sort vrgeth the same vpon those of his time saying Rent your harts and not your cloaths c. But how must that be done Verse 12 hee had told them in the verse immediatlie going before Turne vnto the Lordwith all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning which is thus much in effect vse all meanes to get godly sorrow and holy remorse for sinne for that is it that will bruse the heart indeed The effect of godly sorrow and make it gentle and pliable For as worldly griefe and heauines doth harden the heart and make it like a flinte so spirituall griefe doth soften it and makes it tender as flesh and a fleshie heart is alwaies a cleane heart as doth appeare in that former place of Ezekiel Ezeck 36.25 where softnes of heart is set downe as an effect that euer followeth vpon the thorow cleansing of the heart And as this is commended so the practise thereof is Prophecied and foretold by Zacherie in his 12. Zache 12.10 c. Chap. and the good issue and effect thereof declared in the 13. Chap. As touching the first we may read it in the 10.11.12.13.14 verses of the former Chapter I will poure vpon the house of Dauid saith God and vpon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the spirit of grace c. and they shall lament c. where we may note first the grieuousnesse of their mourning when once Gods holy spirit hath entered into their hearts in that they should make such wofull lamentation as one would doe for his onely sonne and for his first borne or as the Israelites did for Iosiah their godly and zealous and faithfull King and gouernour 2 Chro. 35.25 when hee was slaine by Necho King of Aegypt in the valley of Megiddo where Ieremy and all the rest mourned for him with an exceeding bitter lamentation And secondly wee may note the sinceritie thereof in that they should not weepe for company as an hypocrite may doe but euery one aparte and in secret before the Lord. For so it is said And the land shall bewaile Verse 12 euery familie apart the familie of the house of Dauid apart and their wiues apart the family of the house of Nathan apart and their wiues apart c. all the families that remaine euery familie apart and their wiues apart Then for the good effect that should follow thereupon it is contained and expressed Chap. Zache 13.1 13. verse 1. the words are these In that day there shall be a fountaine opened to the house of Dauid and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for vncleannesse Whence it may bee gathered that when once we fall a washing in this sort we shall not long wash alone but God will ioyne with vs and open a fountaine of mercie vnto vs to wash away all manner of sinnes whatsoeuer they are or haue beene and to giue vs grace in steed thereof And this promise is made not onely to the house of Dauid that is See Chap. 12.8 for this interpretation to strong Christians but also to the inhabitants of Ierusalem that is to weaker Christians Till such time as wee finde this worke of the spirit in vs albeit wee be of the number of Gods elect wee haue nothing to doe with that fountaine no key can open it but this alone of true and heartie griefe and remorse for our euill workes and waies that are not good This point may bee further confirmed vnto vs by plaine reasons drawne from the Scriptures of God for 1 First there can bee no sound repentance Reasons without this religious and holy mourning No sound repentance without mourning for sinne therefore when Ephraim fell to repentance God himselfe witnesseth that hee heard him lamenting and bewailing his former sinnefulnesse and the follie of his youth Till then though there bee many requests for the obtaining of mercy yet they proceed from the lips not from the heart and till such time as men be wounded in their soules for their sinnes they and their praiers shall bee reiected For The Sacrifices of God are a contrite spirit Psal 51. a contrite and broken heart hee will not despise And when Dauids sinne troubled him and was euer before him Verse 8 being as painefull vnto him as if his bones had beene broken in peeces and the splints thereof runne into his flesh Verse 2 then he might boldly and comfortablie beseech the Lord as hee did Wash me thorowly from my sinne c. And againe Purge mee with Isope and I shall bee cleane wash mee and I shall bee whiter then snow Verse 7 For then hee might bee assured that hee came not to God as an hypocrite with a double heart but as a true penitent person with a troubled heart 2 A second reason to shew the necessitie of this inward touch for sinne is No faith without it that without the same it is impossible wee shoud haue any faith for the promise is made to them that are wearie of their corruptions as a poore prisoner is of his bolts and Irons Luke 4.18 euen to them that account sinne to bee a bondage and a captiuitie vnto them Math. 11.28 And none haue any warrant to come vnto Christ but those that are wearie and heauie laden if they feele not their sicknesse the Lord Iesus Christ is not a Phisitian for their turne he wil not bind vp the wounds nor cure the maladies of any but of those who are touched and pained with the sense and feeling of the same For reproofe of those men and women that are audacious and venturous enough to come before God Vse 1 and to presse into his presence with these or the like requests Lord bee mercifull vnto vs Lord wash vs from all our sinnes c. and yet they themseues neuer labour to make their hearts cleane but rather cloake and couer nay excuse and defend their faults Such doe but take the holy name of God in vaine they make not praiers of faith that shall preuaile for them but praiers of sinne that shall stand in record against them being sinnefull and abominable in Gods sight They draw neere with their lippes Matth 15.8 but their hearts are farre from God and therefore in vaine they worship him Hence it commeth to passe that many offer themselues to receiue the Sacrament the
a few teares ouer him and so the meditation of the seuerall sufferings of Christ and of Gods gracious promises made vnto vs in and through him should cause our hearts to be dissolued into teares 4 Fourthly we must as often as fit occasion is offered goe vnto the house of mourning Make vse of others crosses where we may be put in minde of our wofull estate by reason of our wicked nature and sinnefull cariage in violating the Lords holy precepts and commandements and this is commended as the parte of a godly wise man by Salomon in Ecclesiastes where it is said Eccles 7.6 The heart of wise men is the house of mourning but the heart of fooles is in the house of mirth And the reason why this is a part of wisdome is rendred in the 4. verse It is better to goe to the house of mourning then to the house of feasting because this is the end of all men and the liuing shall lay it to his heart And if others chastisements should affect vs Of our owne much more should Gods correcting hand vpon our selues mooue vs and and when he smiteth vs wee should ioyne with him and take his part and smite our owne hearts and then if Gods stroakes on others or on our selues doe make vs mourne for our rebellious behauiour against the Lord happie and blessed are wee for so saith the Prophet Blessed is the man O Lord Psal 94.12 whom thou chastisest and teachest in thy Law and our Sauiour also Blessed are those that mourne Mat. 5.4 c. therefore when we finde our selues inclined to heauines in respect of any outward scourge that lieth on vs or on our friends let vs take hold of the occasion and turne the course of our griefe another way which if we can attaine vnto and make our sin to be our greatest sorrowe Christ Iesus shall bee our greatest ioy and wee being mourners of Sion shall be comforted in due season our iniquities shall be remoued as a cloud and scatered as a miste and wee receiued into euerlasting fauour Thirdly Vse 3 this is for the singular comfort of Gods children What though they haue been like the people of Sodome and of Gomorrah and haue liued like beasts all their life long yet is there hope that they shall not be cast off nay if they can once beginne to rinse and purge their hearts though their sinnes haue beene neuer so horrible and odious and abominable they may be assured of the free and ful pardon of them al neither need they make any doubt at all hereof for if such kind of sinners might not attaine to this it were in vaine for the Lord to exhort them to repentance but wee see heere that though these Iewes had receiued many blessings heard many instructions and threatnings out of the word and felt many corrections from Gods owne hand and nothing would driue them from their accustomed course of rebellion yet notwithstanding all this if now at last they would grieue their hearts in good earnest and not passe ouer the matter with some sleight mourning for so farre wicked Saul went when Dauid had told him of his fault in pursuing him that was innocent but striue for a soaking and working sorrow if I say they would labour for this the Lord offers them mercie so that they should foorthwith bee disburdened of the guilt and freed from the punishment of all their former wickednesse For when sinne is once cast out of the heart God hath no quarell against the partie and it can neuer lurk there long except it be fedde with excuses and allowance It neuer stickes so close nor cleaues so fast but godly sorrow will make a separation betwixt it and the soule Note and crush the very head thereof That giueth life and roote vnto it and makes it grow and bring foorth abundance of fruite when wee loue it and can say somwhat for it but if we do not nourish it in our souls but ba nish it thence we shall bee accepted whatsoeuer our life hath formerly beene for as God will neuer sprinckle the blood of his owne sonne vpon a carnall and proud and prophane heart so hee will neuer denie to giue the merits of his sonne vnto an heauie and sorrowfull and contrite spirit Take away the euill of your workes from before mine eies As if hee should haue said hitherto you haue but dissembled in the duties performed by you which hollownesse of yours though men could not so well see and discerne yet the Lords eies haue been and are still cast vpon your doubling and halting and false dealing and therefore if you would haue him to looke fauourably vpon you take away from his sight that which causeth him to frowne vpon you not onely your euill workes for so hypocrits may doe but the euill of your good works for heere wee must vnderstand God did not aime at the subuersion and ouerthrow of the former duties of religion but wisheth them to doe the same workes of pietie still but in a better sort then they were wont to doe them whence this doctrine offereth it selfe for our learning that A Christian must not onely doe good things Doctr. 2 Good things must be done in a good maner but must doe them in a good manner otherwise God may and will reiect the works and confound the doers of them This people here had many ontward obseruations as doth appeare from verse 12. to the 16. Yet because their seruices were not performed in faith and loue God did vtterly abhorre and detest them They would keepe the Sabbaths and frequent the solemne assemblies but they would learne nothing at all though their bodies were there their hearts were not there but either about their busines in the familie or their affaires and dealings in the world thinking how to reuenge such or such an iniurie how to releeue themselues in such or such a necessitie or the like or perchance worse matters They would make long praiers but their hearts were full of wrath and their minds full of doubting and so in other exercises of religion still they mingled their owne corruption in so much that God could haue no liking of them Such were the Scribes and Pharisies also who vsed to preach to giue much almes to pray and fast often and had a verie smoth outside for so much Christ grants them that they were painted Sepulchres faire to behold and looke vpon and graues so couered ouer with greensward that one might walke ouer them againe and againe and yet neuer perceiue any rotten bones therein Notwithstanding all this the vengeance of God is denounced against none more often and earnestly by our Sauiour then against that kinde of people as appeareth plainely in the Gospell Mat. 23. And why because they tooke not away the euill of their works for which cause the Lord Iesus tels them Luke 16.15 Yee are they which iustifie your selues before men but
the word and by getting that sight of their wants that might cause them to come with an eager appetite vnto Gods house They seldome or at least very coldly pray vnto the Lord to giue them an vnderstanding minde and a teachable heart to profit by the meanes but for the most part thrust in themselues ruedly with a proud and vnprepared heart and with vnrulie and distempered affections that when they stand in Gods holie presence are wandring from the duties in hand and running after their couetousnesse or after their delights and so if the word flie in at the one eare it flies out as fast at the other And they doe not mingle it with faith as they should doe but with theirowne corruptions Hebr. 4. which hinder the effectuall working of it and so it seales vp vnto many their owne iust condemnation in steed of being an instrument of God for their edification and saluation And as for Gods owne children in steed of those excellent graces that might be thereby wrought in them it oftentimes hardens their harts and fittes them for sharpe correction So for praier whereas they should lift vp pure hands without wrath and without doubting Corruptions in praier many neuer care what maner of sacrifice they offer vnto the Lord but are full of passion which distracts them and full of vnbeleefe which excludes them from hauing interest in God blessings and so their praiers tumble down againe vpon their heads and bring vpon them iudgements in steed of mercies They may truly say that they haue sought for helpe often and haue had no hearing but it is long of themselues for the sea is not more full of water then God is full of mercy to all that call vpon him in truth and if they could put away their vnbeleefe and hypocrisie and other euils that are mixed with their suites and supplications they should finde that none is so kinde a Father as God is and they should not bee so ready to aske but hee would bee more readie to giue if so be they did come in faith and aske aright as God requireth The like may bee said for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper diuers there are that partake of it as often as their neighbours doe but they are so farre from receiuing benefit and comfort therefrom that it proues hurtfull and vncomfortable vnto them and why because they put not away the euils of this worke Euils to be remoued by communicants But what are they may some demand They are diuerse One common euill Ignorance 1 is grosse and palpable ignorance that men come not discerning the Lords bodie and blood that is not being able to put a sensible difference betweene that and common bread and wine and so comming vnto it no otherwise then to their ordinarie foode not conceiuing much lesse well considering what they are to receiue from God what from man what examination is to be vsed that they may bee worthy receiuers of it what iudgements are to bee feared if they bee vnworthy receiuers and so they feele those iudgements before they feare them 2 A second euill to bee remoued from this worke Vnbeliefe 2 is vnbeliefe which hinders vs that wee cannot finde the inward vertue of those holie mysteries For when wee drawe neere to the Lords table wee should make reckoning of greater benefits then all the kings and kingdomes of the earth can affoord vs. For there God the Father is the feast-maker hee giueth vs for our intertainement the body and blood of his owne sonne to feede vpon hee offereth vs and would exhibite vnto vs if wee had faith to apprehend it Christ his perfect righteousnesse and increase of our true holinesse and entitleth vs to all comforts in this life and to the crowne of glorie in the life to come This many know but they want faith to make application of it to themselues and thence it commeth to passe that their soules are so barren of grace notwithstanding their often communicating at the Lords table The woman in the Gospel that was troubled with a bloody issue said in her heart before shee came to Christ Note if I may but touch the hemme of his garment onely I shal be made whole Math. 9.21 and according to her faith it was vnto her for that touch healed both her soule and body yet shee had no speciall commandement to come nor promise of good successe if she did come nor experience of any in her case that had sped well before her if shee were thus confident hauing had so few meanes to confirme her what strength of faith should wee come withall and what a stedfast expectation of mercie should wee haue setled in our hearts when wee come to Christ Iesus in this his ordinance seeing that wee haue both a commandement and a promise and the examples before our eies of such as haue found vnspeakeable good by this holy Sacrament and there is more reason why our Sauiour should pitie vs then why he should pitie that woman for we haue a more dangerous issue of sinne in our soules then she had of blood in her body and many of vs haue beene longer troubled with it then shee was with hers and hee came rather to heale the sicknesse of the soule then to cure the maladies of the bodie And besides all the former hee shall haue more glorie by sauing vs from sinne then by healing her from a bodilie infirmitie and the taking and eating of the blessed Sacrament of the eternall couenant is much more effectuall to draw vertue from Christ then the bare touching of his garment was and hee is neerer vnto vs now in his gracious presence then hee was vnto her then in his bodilie presence This wee should beleeue and rest vpon and if wee doe not wee offer vnto the Lord the greater iniurie for hee is no deceiuer but purposeth to bestow that vpon vs in truth which he makes offer of in shew euen to giue vs as full a communion with the righteousnesse of the second Adam as wee had with the corruption of the first Adam Euen as the branches doe partake of the sappe of the Vine and the members of the body haue life and motion deriued vnto them from the head so shall we receiue grace and life from Iesus Christ in and by his holy meanes so often as wee doe thankefully vse them 3 A third euill that must be put away when wee are to bee partakers of the Lords Supper Vncharitablenesse is vncharitablenes and vnmercifulnesse for that is a feast of loue where we are to receiue further assurance of Gods loue to vs and an increase of our loue to God and men And how can we looke for mercie if we shew no mercie or how can wee expect from the Lord a generall acquittance for all our debts and trespasses when we will not passe by small matters of offence in our brethren Therefore as we would finde any fauour in heauen let
warning that they had a multitude of the people of Ephraim and Manasseh Issachar and Zebulun had not clensed themselues according to the Law in that behoofe prouided Exod. 12. and Numb 9. and therefore were in danger to bee cut off Leui. 7.20 In this regard they were in great distresse and in a sore strait yet they thought it better to receiue the Sacrament though they failed in some circumstances of their preparation then to omit it vntill the next yeare hauing wanted it so long before whereupon they aduentured to eate the Passouer which being ended Hezekiah in feare of Gods displeasure and in commisseration of the people that stood in danger of Gods plagues and punishments falleth to praier for them and is instant with the Lord in their behalfe hee saw their great desire to bee made partakers of it the paines that they had taken to come vnto Ierusalem for that verie purpose and perceiued a strange hand of God in inclining their hearts so far and thereby was hee incouraged to become a mediator as it were betwixt God and them and thus he prayed vnto God for them The good Lord bee mercifull toward him that prepareth his whole hart to seek the Lord God of his fathers And the word that is translated be mercifull signifieth thus much in effect as if he had said the good Lord pardon and supply that which is wanting in him that prepareth his whole heart And now they wanted not so much willingnesse as time to prepate themselues and therefore he praieth the Lord to bee fauourable vnto them And that he might haue more assurance that his praier should bee effectuall he buildeth it vpon strong and sound reasons taken 1 First from the nature of God implied in the word good verse 18. which goodnes of his is neuer seene so much as in shewing mercie to them that are in distresse As if he should haue saide Lord thou art good in thy selfe and good vnto thy people and heere are such as stand in great need of thy goodnes and therefore be mercifull and gracious vnto them 2 Secondlie from the name of God Iehonah implying his constancie and vnchangeablenes in himselfe and in his loue and the fruits thereof towards his seruants Hezekiah knew that he had beene mercifull vnto as great sinners as they were in former times and that he was the same God still and therefore hee intreateth to manifest so much in passing by the frailties of these communicants Verse 19 3 A third reason is taken from the Couenant that hee is the God of their Fathers by reason whereof he was bound vnto them and their children so that hee could not denie them any thing that they should aske in faith These arguments are drawne from God Verse 19 Another argument there is taken from them that they sought the Lord c. which seeking of theirs is set out by the manner of it that they prepared their whole heart to seeke him not as if their hearts were so free from sinne or so ful of grace as they should haue been but that they were true plaine sincere not such as had no sinne for it is said they were not clensed according to the Purification of the Sanctuarie but that did loue no sin not such harts as wanted no grace or preparation for Gods ordinance but such as were humbled for the want of grace and of that preparation that they should haue made This was his praier with the reasons of it the effect followeth Verse 20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah that is so heard him as that hee accepted and performed his request for it is said he healed the people that is gaue them that which God doth offer vnto his people in the Sacrament they receiued the seale of the couenant and he made good the Couenant vnto them as shall be shewed afterwards more plainlie and particularlie in the seuerall branches thereof The summe then of these words is the godly care of Hezekiah for those that came in part vnprepared vnto the Passeouer And here we may consider 1 What he did he prayed for them where we may note 1. The substance of his praier to wit that God of his rich mercie would supply all their wants 2. The persons for whome he praieth who are described 1 By their sinceritie that they were such as feared God and sought him with their whole heart 2 By their infirmitie that they wanted the legall clensing 2 The effect that followed vpon his praier which was two-folde God 1 Heard his praier God 2 Healed the people Vers 19. The good Lord be mereifull Doct. 1 In that Hezekiah being appointed by God to be a gouernor Praier to be ioyned with instruction taketh this course of seeking to the Lord for his people we may from his example learne this Doctrine that it is the dutie of all gouernors and superiours not only to teach them that belong vnto their charge and depend any way vpon them but likewise to pray for them Good Rulers must not onely informe those that are vnder them what they must doe and stir them vp to good duties by wholesome instructions but they must also become suiters to the Lord for them that hee would frame their hearts to do as they are taught and to pardon them where they come short It was well done of Hezekiah to send abroad messengers to call the Israelites to the worship of God But this he knew was not inough and therefore hee beseecheth the good Lord to shew himselfe fauourable vnto them Thus also dealt Dauid another King Psal 51.18 placed ouer Gods inheritance Bee fauourable vnto Zion for thy good pleasure saith hee builde the wales of Ierusalem And so did Moses that worthy gouernour of the Lords people not contenting himselfe to bee often teaching and instructing them whom hee had the charge of but euer and anon praying for them as occasion was offered that God would releeue them when they were in wants that hee would defend them when they were set vpon by enemies that he would pardon them when they had kindled his wrath against them c. The like is noted of Iob how carefull hee was for his children euen when they were in a sort from vnder his shadow and had houses of their owne to dwell in for it is said Iob 1.4.5 that his sonnes went and banqueted in their houses euery one his day c. and when the daies of their banqueting were gone about Iob sent and sanctified them and rose vp earely in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all For Iob thought it may bee that my sonnes haue sinned and blasphemed God in their hearts thus did Iob euery day Heere wee must vnderstand when it is said that hee offered sacrifices for them that hee praied for them also for those two sacrificing and praying euer went together that God would pardon them al their sinnes which they had committed while
teadious iourney but may haue it ministred vnto them neerer at hand and that with lesse cost and yet a larger blessing then they could in the daies of the ceremoniall Law surely if they doe neglect so great saluation well they may escape the punishments of men but they shall feele the strokes of God and shall bee cut off from hauing communion with him and with his seruants they shal beare their sinne as in that place the holy Ghost speaketh which otherwise by receiuing the Sacrament they might haue discharged their consciences of and put it ouer vnto Christs accounts Further those that by reason of their infirmities will forgoe that ordinance doe greatly dishonor God and lay an hard imputation vpon him as who should say that hee were such an extreame and rigorous Iudge aswill accept of none but of those that haue attained to a great measure of perfection Besides such kind of persons doe as much as in them lieth proclaime themselues to bee hypocrites for if they bee not such they haue a calling to partake of the Sacrament as appeareth in this text by the praier of Hezekiah who doth in assurance of faith as the effect manifestly proueth make request for all such as prepared their whole hearts that is did their best indeauour with a true and sincere heart to seeke the Lord. Lastly they giue very ill example vnto others and expose themselues to the censures of men as contemners or at least neglecters of Gods ordinance And therefore in these regards let all beware how they withdraw themselues when the Lord inuiteth them to such a banquet Secondly Vse 2 this is for instruction and consolation both together albeit wee perceiue many blemishes and great imperfections in our selues yet let vs take the Lords offer when he calleth vs to his table and come with certaine expectation of good successe as well as those that haue a greater measure of repentance 1. Pet. 2.25 Iohn 21.15 and of faith and loue then wee can attaine vnto For Christ Iesus the great shepheard and Bishop of our soules taketh order that not onely his sheepe but his Lambes also may bee fed All the good grounds bring not foorth a like quantitie of fruit yet all agree in this substantiall point that they bring forth good and ripe fruit Mat. 13.23 though some doe not yeeld the third part so much as others doe yet they are grounds blessed by God and respected of God Note He that gained fiue talents had the commendation of a good and faithfull seruant and so had he likewise that gained but two talents so that euery one shall haue the praise of weldoing according to the gifts and graces that God hath imparted vnto him Indeed those that doe most and best as they bring more glorie to Gods name so shall they haue larger reward from him yet withall those that haue fewer talents and doe him lesse seruice shall not be despised nor reiected but according to their workes be accepted and recompenced for one may bee faithfull in a little as well as in a great deale Therefore let this bee an incouragement vnto vs to draw neere vnto God in his worship if wee cannot come as we would let vs come as well as we can and bring those talents which we haue if wee cannot make a long praier let vs make a short if wee cannot crie feruently vnto the Lord let vs sigh that wee cannot doe better if wee haue but a little faith let vs pray with the man in the Gospel Lord I beleeue helpe mine vnbeliefe Mar. 9.24 which if we can do the Lord will be mercifull vnto vs though wee be not fitted in euery respect according to that which is required of vs. But my wants are such as I am afraid I shall faile Obiect no not onlie in some circumstance but in the substance it selfe and shall not only receiue weakly but altogether vnworthily how then may wee certainly know that our hearts are sincere and vpright before the Lord By these workes that follow Answ First if wee dislike all sinne in our selues and others Markes of sincertitie and desire that all Gods graces might bee wrought in our selues and others Hypocrites will allow foule faults in themselues A general dislike of sinne and liking of goodnesse and yet seeme to dislike them and much exclaime against them in others whereas first they should bee humbled and grieued for them in their owne soules and then proceed to speake against them in others Againe this hypocrisie is in our cursed nature that Hypocrisie whereas wee could wish that we might liue without offence and that our names might bee preserued from reproach yet we shall finde a tickling delight in our selues when wee see the nakednesse of others discouered and their faults ripped vp to their disgrace that so their blacke may the more commend our white And againe wee can bee content to haue many good gifts and graces and would not bee much grieued if we could get all other that we want yet we are ready to bee offended that others should be indued with the like especially that they should goe beyond vs in doing good and in receiuing praise sutable thereunto But this argueth great want of sinceritie and if wee bee not humbled for these corruptions 1. Cor. 13.4 it sheweth palpable and grosse hypocrisie for loue enuieth not but if wee carrie an inward hatred of this euill disposition that is in vs and labour to abhorre and seeke to hinder all manner of sins Note as well in our selues as in others and in others as well as in our selues and on the other side if wee desire to loue and further good motions and good actions both in our brethren and in our owne persons neuer mocking nor deriding nor discouraging the hearts of Gods seruants from goodnes this is a cleere case that wee faile not in the substance of godlinesse but that our hearts are very vpright therein Secondly if wee indeauour still to bee better and to doe better euery day then other Grouth in grace Phil. 3.14.15 neuer standing vpon what wee haue done but pressing hard to the marke this is an infallible note that we are true-hearted Hee that feeleth but a little faith a little loue a little repentance c. and would with all his heart haue them increased and on the contraie findeth much deadnes much impatience much vnfitnesse for death and much vnwillingnesse to heare of the comming of Christ much distraction on the holy Sabbath c. but would most willingly haue these corruptions diminished these very desires if they bring him to the concionable vse of the meanes are euident signes of a faithfull and wel-affected heart A third rule of triall is if from our hearts we can forgiue or at least Forgiuing desire to forgiue those that haue done vs wrong either in word or deede and are greeued at wrathfull and malicious and reuengefull thoughts and motions
The Lord will not deceiue them nor shut out those supplications that they make before him but according as they intreat of him where their faith is weake he will strengthen it where their repentance comes short hee will perfect it where their loue is cold hee will increase it and in a word where any good thing is wanting hee will supply it If Hezekiah Note praying for such a great multitude which had beene monstrous Idolaters and had continued long time in their Idolatrie heaping vp one abomination vpon an other and now came to the Sacrament not of their owne accord but by the intreaty and perswasion of Hezekiah and his Princes and being thus come failed much in that preparation which they should haue made if hee I say had such good and gracious hearing from the Lord things standing as hath beene said then how much more may wee expect mercy from him when we intreat for our selues who through Gods wonderfull restraint and gracious prouidence haue not fallen into such notorious euils nor into such greeuous and monstrous offences as they had done especially if wee haue this witnesse vnto our soules that wee come voluntarily and in some degree preparedly vnto the mysteries of saluation and are so farre from looking for intreatie or exhortation thereunto that through Gods grace and goodnesse wee would not bee restrained from it for any worldly gaine And healed the people For the vnderstanding of this wee must know that sinne maketh a wound and that the word and Sacrament are meanes and plaisters as it were to heale the same if they bee rightly applied and blessed vnto the receiuers of them In that they found this good effect vpon the eating of the Passeouer and Hezekiahs praier made for them the doctrine hence to be learned is that The Sacrament worthily receiued Doct. 5 doth heale and cure For whence came their healing in this place The vertue of the Sacrament but from the vertue of the Sacrament blessed vnto them at the earnest request of that holy king Hee telleth vs not the particular euils of which they were healed because we should conceiue that they were in a sort perfectly and thorowly cured of all First of the euils that were in their soules they were pardoned their consciences quieted and their hearts bettered so that they had a greater dislike of their own corruptions and of Satans temptations and more power to withstand them and to ouercome them then formerly they had Then for outward euils if there were any sickenesse or weakenesse or any other crosses or calamities vpon them they had the same either quite remoued or at least sweetned and sanctified vnto them for their profit and comfort For this is the substance of the couenant whereof the Sacrament is a seale made vnto penitent persons Ezek. 36. which hauing beene spoken of before it would be needlesse at large to repeat the same things againe Only in briefe for the vse of this point Vse let vs hence learne to make full account of this healing when the Lord shall please to make vs partakers of the body and blood of his deare sonne For then that seede is cast vpon euery faithfull heart that will spring vp in due season vnto euerlasting life and yeeld vs such fruit as we shal haue great cause to reioice and to magnifie the name of the Lord who hath done such great things for vs. Let vs then looke for much and we shall haue much Open thy mouth wide saith the Lord and I will fill it Therefore when we behold with our naturall eye the bread broken the wine powred forth and offered vnto vs by the hand of the Minister Note let vs lift vp the eye of our faith and looke vpon Christ Iesus who is as it were held forth vnto vs by the hand of the Trinity being broken with many sorrowes terrors in bearing his fathers wrath and vndergoing the punishment due vnto vs for our hainous trangressions and powring forth his precious blood to satisfie the Lords iustice to pacifie his displeasure conceiued against vs and as we with our bodily hand do receiue the outward elements so let vs by the hand of faith lay hold of our Lord Sauiour of al his merits assuring our selues that as the bread wine are made one substance with vs so is Christ Iesus in a spirituall maner made one with vs we with him he being the head we the members he the vine and we the branches c. And further let vs vndoubtedly beleeue that as by bread wine our naturall strength is increased and our weary bodies and languishing spirits refreshed so by those heauenly my steries daily applied our inward man shall bee confirmed and our hearts sooner or later comforted and reuiued And therefore in assurance of faith wee should stirre vp our soules to reioice and praise the Lord giuing vnto him the glorie of his truth in resting vpon him for the performance of all his promises made vnto vs through Christ Iesus and concluding euery one in his owne heart though my knowledge be but small it shall be increased though my memory be weake it shall be confirmed though my affections be out of order they shall be rectified though my stripes be many the number of them shal be diminished and though my graces be but few and feeble they shall be augmented and still further strengthned I shall haue Christs power to inable me to do good and to resist euill his wisedome to direct mee in the right way and to cause me to decline from all by-paths And in a word his good spirit to worke all my workes for me and to perfect all heauenly vertues in me And when after we haue been at the Lords table we find any sinfull motions stirring within vs let vs reason thus Did I not lately receiue the Sacrament for the curing of my soule and did not God grant it vnto me as a seale and pledge that hee would take away my stony heart Ezek. 36. and giue vnto me a fleshy heart Why then should I yeeld vnto my corruptions Nay I will not do so but resist and striue against the same and vrge the Lord with his owne couenant sealed vnto me in the Sacrament So likewise when wee see our manifold imperfections in Gods seruice our want of loue and good affection vnto his seruants our inabilitie to beare crosses and the like let vs repaire vnto the Lord and beseech him that is true and faithfull in all promises that hee will make good his word vnto vs in those particulars giuing vs strength to doe what hee commandeth vs and to beare with profit whatsoeuer hee laieth vpon vs. Which if we can doe so often as wee come vnto the Lords Table wee shall receiue great helpe and comfort against all our sinnes and sorrowes and be much stirred vp to loue and praise the Lord for the continuance and increase of his heauenly graces and
was giuen for any thing for there goeth more to the buying of a Christian then to the making of the world for in the creation God did but say they word and all things were presently formed according to their seuerall kindes but in the worke of redemption God was not onely to say but to pay also and that full dearely euen the bloud of his owne sonne which was of an infinite valew And therefore if things are to be esteemed according to that which wise men wil giue for them suerly the estate of Christianity must needs be worthy high estimation sith the wise God prouided it for his children at such an inestimable reckoning 2 Further in respect of the rarenesse thereof The rarenes of it it is to be accounted very admirable If things that are very deare were also very common that would diminish some part of their worth Mat. 7.13.14 Luke 11.32 but as for this it is both precious rare There are but a very few selected ones that the Lord hath singled out to be partakers of the life of Grace and to be afterwards heires of the kingdome of glory which maketh it to be a gift of farre greater estimation 3 Lastly if it were both deare and rare yet if it were to bee enioyed but a while The continuance of it it were the lesse to be regarded therefore this addition there is vnto the happinesse of this estate that it is also durable yea euerlasting And whereas all worldly excellency and all earthly promotions are temporary and vanishing so that a man may bee very high this day and as low ere the morrow and none can bee happy in possessing those things through the losse whereof he may so quickly become miserable it is otherwise with them that are in the state of grace for that neuer faileth once a Christian and euer a Christian as the Lords purpose changeth not so neither doth our condition change but if we haue begun in Grace wee shall end in glory that neuer shall haue end Psal 16.11 Dan. 12.2 Is it so Vse 1 that Religion and true piety is the ready way to the highest aduancement then hence let vs learne to set our hearts chiefly thereupon and aboue all the treasures in the world principally to affect that We count it good husbandry in the first place to seeke after those things that will do vs most good if siluer be offered we will preferre it before brasse if gold be offered we wil take it rather than siluer Prou. 8.10.11 Now concerning this heauenly wisedome it is sayd Receiue mine instruction and not siluer and knowledge rather then fine gold For wisedome is better then precious stones and all treasures are not to be cōpared vnto her And this should encourage vs rather to vse all industry for the obtaining of this blessed estate because it is a thing haueable It were in vaine for a base person to sue to be a King a Duke or a Lord none almost is so foolish as to seeke for such preferments because they know it would be but lost labour But there is not the meanest seruant slaue or bondman but may attaine to this spirituall dignity which is farre beyond all the aduancement that the kingdomes of this world can possibly yeeld He that can pray heare meditate conferre iudge himselfe in secret before he commeth to the Sacrament and with all good care and conscionable respect vse all Gods ordinances for the obtaining of faith and other graces which do euer accompany the same shall be sure of good and happy successe for the Lord will be found of those that seeke him with a true heart therefore let vs not so east our eyes on earthly commodities as that in the meane time we neglect this pearle of price and this inestimable Iewell that will so exceedingly enrich vs. The Apostle telleth vs 2. Cor. 9.21 that those that runne in a race for a prize though it be but a garland that is set vp so that they can gaine onely some small credit of their agility and nimblenesse in out running one another yet they will put off all that might clogge and hinder them in their race but especially if they should runne for a crowne of gold neither will they be so foolish as to stoop downe to take vp euery pin or point that lyeth in the way and yet they runne but at an vncertainty when they haue done their best another may carry away both the honour and commodity from them and certaine it is that but one alone can win the prize and euen hee also though he haue the applause at one time may goe away with the disgrace at another or if his credit doe continue all his life time yet death will take it away at last From all which the Apostle would haue vs draw this conclusion that if such kinde of persons notwithstanding all that hath bene sayd will so bestirre themselues and seeke to acquit themselues euery way like men then how much more ought we to put our selues to it and with all alacrity runne the race that is set before vs sith we runne not at an vncertainty but are sure to obtaine the crowne one shall not preuent nor depriue another but all shall vndoubtedly get that which they do expect and especially seeing that withal we striue for an incorruptible crowne and shall attaine vnto not a fading and vanishing but an abiding and euerlasting dignity O but wil some say if we bestow our paines and endeuors so much about spirituall things in the meane time Obiect wee shall neglect those earthly things that are needfull and so bring our selues to pouerty Nay not so Answer prouision for our euerlasting estate 1 Tim. 4.8 doth neuer impaire our present estate for godlines hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come and thereby shall all matters be blessed vnto vs. Haue we inheritance wealth reputation dignity c. This will assure vs that we haue a good title vnto all Note and season sweeten all that euery one of them shall be comfortable and profitable vnto vs making it cleare vnto our hearts and consciences that the Lord sendeth them in mercie as pledges of greater matters that he mindeth to bestow vpon vs. Haue we not these outward things Godlinesse wil make a supply in stead of all for that is great gaine with contentment in cōparison of which 1 Tim. 6.6 all the promises of contentednesse that other things make vnto vs will be found to be but meere illusions because it certifieth our soules that God will prouide sufficiently for vs which perswasion alone is able to stay the restlesse and vnsetled mindes of the sonnes of men from pursuing after the vnprofitable deceitfull and lying vanities of this present euill world Seing religion is such an incomparable treasure Vse 2 it should instruct vs in the second place to haue the meanes in due estimation whereby we may
be made truly religious by which our mindes that are blind may be inlightned our hearts of crooked may be made straight of proud may be made humble and of fraudulent may be made true and faithfull And those meanes are the Word the Sacrament Prayer and the like which are the steps whereby we must ascend vnto this honorable estate for it is as possible for men to make stayres to climbe vp vnto the sky as for vs without these to ascend vnto heauen by any deuices of our owne framing The word is the key that must open hell gates to set vs at liberty from the bonds of sinne of Sathan and of death and to vnlocke heauen gates that we may haue entrance into glory in which respect it is that Christ saith vnto Peter that he would giue vnto him and consequently to all Ministers of the Gospel the keyes of the kindom of heauen that is the dispensation of the word which maketh the way vnto heauen ly open to al such as by faith receiue the same into their hearts So that we shold not come vnto the means with a base cōceit or light estimation therof but with a large ample desire and expectation of taking benefit thereby If men can once espy a way how they may rise in the world either to great wealth or promotion they wil be most industrious and laborious in that course they will refuse no paines in seedes time though the weather be vnseasonable and cold and their worke euery way troublesome but they will put themselues to it with all care and industry in hope though it be but an vncertaine hope of bettering their estate So those that liue by faires and markets wil nor faile one of them ordinarily neither heate nor cold winde nor raine nor any the like impediments shal hinder them from pursuing their commodity and why then should we be negligent and play the sluggards while our seedes-time lasteth the Lord biddeth vs plough vp the fallow ground of our hearts that hee may sow therein the seede of life which will neuer faile to yeeld vs a plentiful haruest if we can waite vpon him for the same And why should we be slack and carelesse when our chiefe market daies and faire daies come and not rather set our hearts and endeuours to seeke after those things which all that seeke shall finde and being found will make vs men for euer This should be an encouragement vnto vs Vse 3 not to thinke any thing too much that we can doe or suffer in or for the profession of Christianity Oh but it is an hard matter may some say to fast and pray Obiect and mourne and grieue our hearts continually for our sins Difficulties in Christianity and when we haue done all to be derided and maligned persecuted and slaine for a good cause and besides all these to feele Gods hand scourging vs sometimes with pouerty and want sometimes with feares terrors sometimes with temptations and inward conflicts c. These things seeme very great and very tedious indeed Answ to flesh and bloud but in truth they are but small yea matters of nothing if we consider what is the vse of them and what wil be the end of them therefore let vs remember for our cōfort when wee are in this strait and difficult and vnpleasant way Note that wee are going to be installed into a kingdome and who is there that being offered a Baronrie or a Lordship yea though it be but a Farme if so be he will take the paines to come for it who is here I say that would take exception and say Alas the aire is clowdie and the weather vncertaine nay it begins to raine or haile or snow alreadie and therefore I will euen stay at home and neuer wet my foote for the matter Nay if there be but likelyhood of some smaller gaine the weather fowle and the waies deepe and themselues somewhat out of temper also yet they will aduenture to goe through all and rather ferry ouer than come short of that profit that is offered how much more then ought we to breake through all impediments and swallow vp all difficulties with the consideration of this that our iourney tendeth not to the getting of some small commoditie or to the purchasing of some worldly possessions or to the obtaining of any earthly preheminēce or preferment whatsoeuer but that we are trauelling towards our owne countrey where we shall receiue an inualüable and eternall crowne of glory And albeit we must passe through many rough and craggie and thornie waies and meete with sundry things that wil be very irksome and vnpleasant yet let vs account withall that we shall find many sweet comforts and ioyes vnspeakeable and glorious in the middest of our pilgrimage and in the end shall haue the fruition of that happines which will make amends for all And this was it that made the Apostle Paul so comfortable in the middest of al his sufferings Therefore we faint not saith he but though our outward man perish 2. Cor. 4.16 17 yet our inward man is renued daily For our light affliction which is but for a moment causeth vnto vs a farre most excellent and an eternall weight of Glory Where we may note that when he speaketh of the happinesse of another life he magnifieth the same exceedingly both for the worth of it for the continuance of it calling it a farre most excellent and eternall weight of glory To be excellent is much to be most excellent is farre more to be far most excellent is yet an higher degree but when he calleth it a farre most excellent and withal an eternall weight of glory it maketh a great addition vnto all the former and sheweth that it is inded an inconceiueable vnutterable happines that in the heauen wee shal enioy but one the other side hee counteth his affliction light and momentany because it passeth as it were in a thought and is a thing of nothing being laid in the ballance against the neuer-sading blisse that we shall shortly come vnto And as for that weight that is in the tributions of this life it is but as an heauy bagge of gold that will make the heart of the owner light in the very cariage of it and so much the more light by how much weightier it is And therefore by all these motiues we should perswade yea euen compell our soules vnto patience vnder the crosse of Christ and to perseuerance in the practise of all the duties of godlinesse a patterne of which patience we haue in the Hebrewes Who after the had receiued the light endured a great fight in afflictions Hebr. 10.33.34 Partly saith the Apostle while ye were made a gazing stocke both by reproches and afflictons and partly while ye became companions vnto them which were so tossed to and fro For both ye sorrowed with me for my bonds and suffered with ioy the spoyling of your goods
to touch their gouty and festered and corrupted consciences but they will wince and kicke and lay about them and cry out on those that are such iudgers and such busy-bodies as they tearme them and so reiect all wholesome reproofes carry a bitter heart against the reprouers Onely those that are sound-hearted can submit themselues in the lowlinesse of their minds and meekenesse of their spirits to beare admonitions when they neede it be he a superiour or an inferiour that administreth the same and labour to make a right vse hereof and to loue the partie the better that will deale so mercifully and faithfully with their soules Obser Indeed Gods best children may sometimes faile herein and begin to bustle and take on when they are somewhat sharply dealt withall and cannot so readily and chearefully swallow and disgest those bitter pils as they should but if they be grieued in their soules that they find so much pride in themselues though they be a little distēpered in company yet whē they are alone they are ashamed of their folly and desire more wisdome and grace to reape benefite by the admonitions that shall afterwards be giuen them and begin to thinke more reuerently of the parties that shewed them that mercy and kindnesse they should not be dismaied knowing that they are true Israelits in whom their is no guile notwithstanding that vnwillingnesse and vntowardnesse to vndergoe a rebuke that they find in them selues and their corrupt nature Thirdly Vse 3 this is for the great comfort of all such these notes of vprightnes in themselues though they haue many corruptions and imperfections mixed with their best works yet seeing they haue pure hearts they are happy and blessed and shall find the good effects of their blessednesse Note True holinesse and true happines are neuer separated As for perfection God lookes not for it at our hands If sinne hange on vs but wee would faine cast it off if we find vnbeliefe but would most gladly get faith 2 Chron. 30.18.19 if wee be troubled in our hearts with hardnesse but are desirous of softnesse if we be humbled for that we cānot be humbled sufficiently nor get such a large heart as we would to desire and expect grace from heauen let vs not be discomforted for our defects and frailties for the Lord wil spare vs and be gracious vnto vs in his beloued sonne according to that worthy prayer of good King Hezekiah The good Lord be mercifull toward him that prepareth his whole heart to seeke the Lord God of his Fathers though he be not clensed according to the purification of the Sanctuary Though many haue bene braullers heretofore let them labor to be peaceable though they haue ben worldly let them striue to be heauenly though they haue bene filthy let them endeauour to get chastity though they haue bene ignorant and prophane let them study to obtaine knowledge and holinesse and then they may come to the Lords table welcome the Lord will haue respect vnto them and grant them pardon for their sinnes and supply all their wants and giue them more grace to doe their duty in the remainder of their life and in the daies of their pilgrimage that are yet behinde Surely they worke none iniquity That is they make not a trade and common practise thereof Slip they doe through the infirmitie of the flesh subtilty of Sathan and the allurements of the world but they doe not ordinarily and customably goe forward in vnlawfull and sinfull courses In that the Psalmist setteth downe this as a part Doct. 3 and not the least part neither of blessednesse That they worke none iniquity A prerogatiue to be freed from sinne which walke in his waies the doctrine to be learned hence is this that it is a maruellous great prerogatiue to be freed from the bondage of sinne If there were no other reward but this yet it were a happy thing to be religious euen in this respect that we shall be set at liberty frō such a seruice Rom. 6.17 This point is euident from the Apostles words where he speaketh thus God be thanked that ye haue bene the seruants of sinne but ye haue obeyed from the heart vnto the forme of doctrine whereunto ye were deliuered Where we see that this was not the least priuiledge that they had by being Gods seruants but indeed a matter for which he was greatly to be magnified that whereas they had bene the slaues of sinne and as base drudges at the commaund of euery vile and wretched lust by the vertue of the word powerfully preached vnto them and faithfully receiued by them they had bene deliuered from that bondage and made the seruants of God in righteousnesse and holinesse of life and conuersation And therefore in that same Chapter verse 14. it is promised vnto Gods children as a speciall fauour That sinne shall not haue dominion ouer them It may sometimes tirannously vsurpe authority in them but the strength of grace and the operation of the holy spirit of God will still diminish and at last abolish the force and violence thereof so that it shall neuer beare such sway ouer them as in the time of their vnregeneracy it did The truth of this doctrine Reasons will yet more clearly shine forth if wee consider what the maister the seruice the reward of sinful persons are As for their maister it is Sathan For he is the God of this world Ephes 2.2 Sathan is the maister of all sinners and the Prince that ruleth in the children of disobedience of whom all vnbeleeuers are held in captiuity and still imployed according to his will and pleasure Now he is a more cruell and sauage tyrant then euer Pharoh was though he were very fierce against the Israelites and exercised great tiranny ouer thē yet Sathā putteth his vassals to carry heauier burdens Their seruices and to toile out themselues in baser workes then euer the taskmasters of Aegipt imposed on the poore Israelites For all impenitent sinners are in thraldome to euery brutish lust Note they must defile their bodies and corrupt their soules and consciences and pollute all their workes and waies when and in what maner soeuer the Diuell will haue them they must conuerse with euery lewd and sinfull companion they must runne vp and downe like drudges to follow euery vaine and base delight to pursue euery meane and trifling commodity and to hunt after euery promotion and dignity that offers it selfe vnto their view They cannot liue peaceably in the day nor rest quietly in the night as we may see in gamesters who breake their sleepe mispend their time and strength depriue themselues of a comfortable estate and bring many miseries vpon themselues and their families by the ouer eager pursuite of their vngodly and vnthrifty courses It is a wofull and lamentable case that franticke persons are in that must haue euery one in the family to attend vpon them and to
helpfull it maketh vs blessed in this present life and in the life to come it bringeth with it the comfort of the spirit the feeling of gods loue and fauour and the comfortable vse of all outward good things We are not likely at least not certaine to continue here many daies and what an vnspeakeable comfort then is it to be assured that when we goe from men we shall goe to God and when we leaue the earth wee shall inherit heauen that we shall haue peace at our death and glory after our death If the pestilence enter into our houses or take hold of our owne persons when none dare come vnto vs then God will be with vs though our bodies be insected yet our soules can neuer be so infected if we haue grace in our hearts but that God dareth to enter into our houses to visite vs and when our soules shall be parted from our bodies he wil not thinke it too much to giue them a place of rest with himselfe in his owne kingdome at length vnite them to our bodies againe that they may enioy euerlasting blisse together as they haue bene imployed in Gods seruice together Seeing then Vse 1 that the benefit of labouring for grace is so great this serueth to reproue those that are slothfull in the things of God slothfull in repairing to the Word and in mingling the same with faith in their hearts slothfull in trauelling with their owne soules in examining their hearts and laying the edge of gods threatenings to their corruptions for the cutting off of the same These men thinke that grace will grow as weedes doe without any plowing manuring or sowing of the ground though they neuer pray earnestly nor heare carefully nor be at any paines for the reforming of their hearts or of their liues yet they thinke they shall haue goodnes enough by an ordinary course and conclude that heauen shall be cast vpon them whether they will or not as if God could not chuse but saue their soules But these foolish men doe altogether deceiue themselues and they shall find by woful experience that except they set their minds hearts tongues hands and all the powers and parts of soule and body on worke they shall neuer attaine vnto any godlinesse at all and therefore of necessity be depriued of euerlasting life But we like of the Word Obiect and loue the preaching and preachers thereof Answ But what measure of faith and of other graces of Gods spirit haue you gotten thereby if you be distitute of those it is sure you haue not laboured as you should for the same for whosoeuer seeketh findeth Talking of gold siluer the like and declaring to others how much we affect them wil not keepe vs from penury we must so labour for them as that we get them if we would be rich men A sluggard may desire to get the victory but he must fight for it that will haue it and the like holds in spirituall things those that would be partakers of them must vse the meanes that God hath appointed for the accomplishing of their desire And therefore this rebuke lights vpon the heads of all such sluggards as will not bestir them in this weighty matter nor liue in the field of grace nay whē the crop of grace is brought home vnto their houses they wil not open their dores to receiue it they wil not so much as giue attention to the word but are like the high way side that doth not so much as receiue the seede that is cast vpon it but lette the Diuell catch away all from them Secondly Vse 2 this may be an Apologie for those that are faithfull and painefull in seeking for the Word if it be a thing so exceeding necessary then are not they to be blamed that are content to vndergo any toile for the obtaining of it it is no precisenesse nor needles labour neither are such to be checked and reprehended but rather to be cōmended and encouraged for this is it that is foretold in Daniel Dan. 12.4 Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall abound If men haue a dangerous sicknes they seeke help from the Phisition though far off none findes fault with them nor makes question why they should seek to be healed If householders want prouisiō at home they wil repaire to the market none cries out vpon them What wretched men are these that cannot keepe them from the market haue they not oxen and sheep at home for though they haue men are so wise as to consider that they are not made ready for their turn Now if they are not blamed nor indeed blame worthy that do thus seeke for corporall Phisicke and sood then why should they be blamed by Papists and such as are Popishly affected that seeke for that which is spirituall Se the 2. Sermon one Mark 14. Doct 6. it being far more requisite and necessary Which the sonne of man shall giue c. Doct. The efficacie of the Word Doct. 5 The efficacie of the word and Sacrament of Christ and Sacrament is from Christs owne hand Whosoeuer would haue grace must receiue it from Christ himselfe hence is that promise made vnto the Israelites The Lord thy Gods will circumcise thy heart and the heart of thy seed that thou malest loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soule that thou maiest liue They to whom it did belong to circumcise their bodies could goe no further then the outward circūcision it was God only that could cut off the corruption of their hearts and frame them vnto obedience that which is spoken concerning that one Sacrament holdeth as true in all the rest man can giue only the externall signes God must giue the inward vertue And the reasons why it pertains vnto Christ is a work of the Godhead only are diuers First Reasons 1 one is taken out of the text where it said Him hath the Father sealed it is Christ his office vnto which the Father hath ordained him he alone hath commission and warrant to deale in it and whosoeuer else doth arrogate that vnto himselfe is an intruder and shall be punished for that he goeth about to thrust Christ out of his chaire Secondly as it belongs to him so he alone is of ability to doe it none besides him can deale with the heart wherein this worke doth principally consist He onely knowes it and he alone can cure it as the first Adam did kill vs 1 Cor 15.45 so the second Adam must quicken vs. No man can giue natural life vnto another no not that which brutish creatures doe enioy nay nor so much as that which plants doe liue by much lesse can any one giue spirituall life vnto another Paul may plant and Apolos may water but God alone giueth the increase Thirdly experience will confirme vs in this point for who be the mē vpon whom the ordinances of God
and compacting of your minds one to another through aboundance of perswaded vnderstanding and acknowledgement of the mysterie of GOD that is to say of the Father and of Christ verse 3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge In which Christ are all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge treasured vp but yet hidden from the naturall man vers 4. And this I say lest any man should beguile you with inticing words Tâ—â— drift of all the commendations of the preaching of the Gospell and of Christ whom the Gospell doth set forth and preach vnto you is that no man by apparent and perswasible speeches doe transport you vers 5. For though I be absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the spirit reioycing and beholding your order and your stedfast faith in Christ Where if you aske how I that neuer saw you should be thus carefull of you and should care for you so much that neuer came to see you know that although I be absent as touching the flesh yet I am present with you as touching the spirit reioycing to see your good order and policy of the Church caused through the soundnesse of the faith which is towards Christ vers 6. As ye haue therefore receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him Wherfore as you haue receiued the Lord Iesus Christ so let it appeare by your conuersation as in all other things so in holding fast the truth of the Gospell vers 7. Rooted and built in him and stablished in the faith as ye haue bene taught abounding therein with thanksgiuing Being rooted and builded in him and strengthened in the faith and that with thankesgiuing for the mercy you haue receiued in Christ vers 8. Beware lest there be any man that spoile you through philosophy and vaine deceit through the traditions of men according to the rudimentes of the world and not after Christ Looke about you by sound knowledge of the truth lest any of what opinion holinesse or learning soeuer by either shew of reason comming from the braine of men which hath bene receiued from hand to hand and yet is nothing else but a deceipt or sleight or else by the ceremonies of the Law wherewith as by certaine rudiments or ABC the people of God as children were trained to this perfection of doctrine which now hath shined out vnto you do vanquish you draw you before them as prisoners fast bound in chaines and manacles of errours yea take heed of any doctrine whatsoeuer that either taketh any thing away from Christ or placeth any the least iote of saluation otherwhere than in him vers 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily For seeing that in the nature of Christ the fulnesse of the Godhead doth personally rest and abide that both the natures of the Godhead the manhood make but one Christ what is there needfull for your saluation that you may not haue aboundantly in him verse 10. And ye are complete in him which is the head of all Principality and Power Considering that this fulnesse of all graces which is in him he hath not for himselfe but for you with all whatsoeuer you haue neede of vnto saluation And the same Christ howsoeuer a little inferiour to Angels as touching his manhood yet now according to his manhood is head not onely of the Church as is aforesaid but of all Powers and Principalities that are in heauen whereby may appeare their error which worship Angels Verse 11. In whom also yee are circumcised with circumcision made without hands by putting off the sinfull body of the flesh through the circumcision of Christ Hauing all fulnesse and sufficiency in him it followeth that what you would haue you seeke it him which is the circumcision of the fore-skin who was circumcised not for himselfe but for you And in him you haue a more plentifull circumcision then that which you so greedily pursue for that is made with the bodily hands of man which can go no further than the flesh whereas this circumcision is made with the finger of God which entreth into the heart whereof one fruit is the cutting off of the whole body and masse of sinne which riseth and buddeth from the carnall corruption of originall sinne Verse 12. In that ye are buried with him through Baptisme in whom ye are also raised vp together through the faith of the operation of God which raised him from the dead Where if you reply that Abraham and other godly Patriarkes and Fathers vnder the law had this circumcision of the heart and yet notwithstanding receiued the outward cutting of the fore-skin for a seale of that inward circumcision I grant and therefore you haue for an outward seale of your inward cutting purging your corruption the Sacrament of Baptisme a seale that with Christ you are buried vnto sinne that sin is truly mortified and deadned in you that it should no more raigne ouer you nor you should liue to it Another fruit also of this circumcision whereof Baptisme is a seale is that with Christ you are raised vp to newnesse of life through faith which God hath wrought in you by the same almighty power whereby he hath raised Christ from the dead Verse 13. And ye which were dead in sinnes and in the vncircumcision of your flesh hath he quickned together with him forgiuing you all your trespasses And no maruell though you haue neede of the same power to quicken you which the Father declared in the raising vp of his Sonne seeing also you are dead in sinnes shadowed and set forth by the circumcision of the flesh and at once quickned together with him in hauing all your sinnes forgiuen you Verse 14. And putting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against vs which was contrary to vs he euen tooke it out of the way and fastned it vpon the Crosse As by his death he hath gotten vs remission of sinnes so by the same he hath blotted out the hand-writing which was witnesse of our sinnes as of a debt wherein we stood bound to God which hand-writing standeth in rites and ceremonies of the law which by his death is not onely blotted out but by the same nailes whereby the blessed hands and feet were nailed to the crosse as it were nayled through and cancelled Verse 15. And hath spoyled the Principalities and Powers and hath made a shew of them openly and hath triumphed ouer them in the same crosse Neither is it maruell if by his Crosse these enemies were done away seeing vpon the same crosse he hath spoiled the Diuell and all the power and hoast of Hell and hauing disarmed them he made an open shew of them triumphing vpon them in his Crosse where they thought vtterly to haue vanquished and ouercome him verse 16. Let no man therefore condemne you in meate and drinke or in respect of an holy day or of the new moone or of the Sabbath dayes Wherefore as by